Milwaukee Ballet dedicates production to Jack Stein
The Milwaukee Ballet and Stein Gardens and Gifts have teamed up to promote the ballet’s 2010 season of The Nutcracker.
Milwaukee Ballet has dedicated the 2010 production in memory of Jack Stein, founder of Stein Gardens and Gifts. Stein was a fervent supporter of the Milwaukee Ballet and Milwaukee’s arts community.
“Jack’s deep love and respect for the ballet was tremendous,” said Michael Pink, artistic director. “Dedicating this year’s Nutcracker in his memory is just one way we honor Jack’s legacy.”
In 1998, The Joan, Jack, and Victor Stein Foundation donated $1 million to Milwaukee Ballet to create a brand new Nutcracker. The new costumes took over seven months to create and more than a dozen seamstresses to complete.
Steins Gardens and Gifts will also contribute a percentage of sales from Nutcracker-themed merchandise to help initiate The Stein Angels Program. The program makes it possible for school children in the community to attend a performance of The Nutcracker.
“Stein Gardens and Gifts is honored to partner with the Ballet to help provide the children of Milwaukee with access to The Nutcracker,” said Mark Birmingham, chief executive officer of Stein Gardens and Gifts. “We are extremely fortunate to have a world class ballet company in our city, and through exposure to the arts, we hope to inspire the next generation.”
The Nutcracker runs December 10 through Dec. 26 at the Marcus Center for performing arts, 929 N. Water St.
For more information, tickets or to donate, visit www.milwaukeeballet.org
Lend a helping ‘ham’ to Hunger Task Force
Hunger Task Force will fill holiday meal bins for families in need this month, and the organization is asking volunteers to donate holiday hams for the center piece of the meals. Hunger Task Force will fill the bins with 28 items including ham, fresh potatoes, hot cocoa, fruits and vegetables. The number of hams that are donated will be counted on the HungerTask Force signboard near Hwy 94.
“People in Milwaukee love a good celebration and there is so much to celebrate this time of year. Counting the number of neighbors who lend a helping ham on our I-94 signboard adds a special feeling to everyone’s holiday spirit, both those doing the giving and those doing the receiving,” said Sherrie Tussler, executive director.
Last month, more than 2,000 turkeys were donated for the Thanksgiving bins. Hams can be donated online for $15 at hungertaskforce.org or they can be dropped off in person at the Hunger Task Force office, 201 S. Hawley Court.
Good Harvest helps provide food for families in need
Good Harvest Market in Pewaukee recently announced a promotion to match its customers’ $10 donations to the Waukesha County Food Pantry with $20 of food from now until the end of the year.
"Holiday times and cold weather can be especially trying times for families who are having financial difficulties, and we hope that our gesture of doubling customer donations will spur on other food stores in the area to do the same," said Jody Nolan, store owner. "Good Harvest has wonderful customers, and we’re excited to work with them to donate food to local residents less fortunate than themselves".
Good Harvest Market has donated to the Waukesha Food Pantry since the store opened 6 years ago.
